Mid Republican Romans and cost effectiveness

I have recently bought and painted a 28mm Middle Republican Roman army but its organisation is posing problems. The points cost structure is very rigid, the typical Impetus consular army leaves few points to protect the flanks. Throwing the pilum is a non-event – would it be better to abandon this feature to reduce the cost of the hastati and princip units or lower the cost of the rear line? The rule set is excellent in form but does little for the aggressive empire builders!
Cheers
Robert Gargan

Remember that pilum dice are rolled before every melee even in a follow up pursuit and re-contact.
Just thought I'd mention it as we didn't do this for some time when starting out

Robert Gargan wrote:
I have recently bought and painted a 28mm Middle Republican Roman army but its organisation is posing problems.  The points cost structure is very rigid, the typical Impetus consular army leaves few points to protect the flanks.  Throwing the pilum is a non-event – would it be better to abandon this feature to reduce the cost of the hastati and princip units or lower the cost of the rear line?  The rule set is excellent in form but does little for the aggressive empire builders!
Cheers
Robert Gargan

Yes, Robert this has been a bone of contention on this Forum. You might search past topics to get a sense of the flavour of this conversation. Overall I find this army doesn't perform well in Impetus. The main infantry is expensive and pilum is, as you say, a non event.

Here are a couple of suggestions in improving the army under the current rules.

1. You don't have to buy equal numbers of Hastati/Principes and Velites for the same legion. I usually buy 2 Hastati and 1 Principes and 1 Velite per command. I never buy the Triarii (too expensive.)

2. It might be better to give up on line relief. It is a free advantage and can prove useful but the need to have the legion units on the front line is often a better choice.
In this sense the army fights more like a Later Republican force but what can you do?

3. The improvements in the linear support and the additional die for better quality makes the Romans somewhat better than in the past.

4. You might consider upgrading your legions to A class. More expensive for sure but the ability to move quickly and echelon at will is very helpful.

This army can sometimes prove highly effective under the right circumstances but overall I agree with your assessment.

Thank you for your advice Gaius and Tarty. I have read through the past topics and I shall experiment with a linear formation made up of A class legionaries and keep tabs on the pilum dice. The triple line formation is too expensive in points and it is better organised as one from the later republic.

Robert Gargan